The Business Development Podcast

Kelly Kennedy

The Business Development Podcast is the global show for founders, entrepreneurs, and sales leaders who want real growth without the hype. Hosted by Kelly Kennedy, the show delivers honest conversations, real world lessons, and proven strategies on business development, sales, leadership, and mindset. Each episode breaks down what actually drives momentum, trust, and bigger deals over the long term.

  1. 4d ago

    The Clearest Voice in the Room Wins with Salvatore Manzi

    In Episode 360 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with communication expert, leadership coach, and bestselling author Salvatore Manzi to explore why the clearest voice in the room often becomes the most influential. After losing his voice during an early speaking experience, Salvatore dedicated more than two decades to understanding the neuroscience, psychology, and storytelling principles behind powerful communication. Today, he helps executives, entrepreneurs, TEDx speakers, and global organizations transform complex ideas into clear and compelling messages that move people to action. Kelly and Salvatore discuss how introverted leaders can command attention without pretending to be extroverts, why people do not care who you are until they understand how much you care, and how storytelling makes ideas memorable. They also unpack the biggest shift Salvatore made in his career: stopping the effort to sell and beginning to genuinely connect. From speaking with confidence and communicating bold ideas to developing memorable talking points and leading with authenticity, this episode offers practical strategies for anyone who wants to become a stronger communicator and a more influential leader. Key Takeaways: Clear communication is a skill that can be learned, practised, and continuously improved.The clearest voice often carries more influence than the loudest voice.Start with your audience’s needs before introducing yourself, your ideas, or your agenda.Stop trying to sell and focus on building genuine human connection.Bold ideas become persuasive when people understand why they matter to them.Stories make information easier to understand, remember, and act upon.Strong business stories move through three stages: pain, process, and measurable outcome.Metaphors and analogies turn complex information into ideas people can immediately understand.Prepare concise answers to the questions you receive most often so you can speak confidently under pressure.Great speakers strengthen their skills by experimenting with new delivery techniques outside their comfort zones. Get in Touch with Salvatore Learn more about Salvatore Manzi’s leadership communication coaching, speaking, workshops, and free resources: Website: https://www.salvatoremanzi.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvatorejmanzi Buy Clear and Compelling Discover Salvatore’s practical frameworks for turning complex ideas into clear, memorable, and influential communication. Book information: https://www.salvatoremanzi.com/book Amazon: Buy Clear and Compelling 🎸 Sponsor Shoutouts: Thank You Colin Harms for your steadfast support of The Business Development Podcast! 🫶 The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies & Hyperfab, 🎸⭐ 🔹 Hypervac Technologies: North America’s leader in vacuum truck manufacturing, building high performance hydrovac and industrial vacuum trucks designed for the toughest field conditions. www.hypervac.com 🔹 Hyperfab: The custom fabrication division of Hypervac, delivering engineered solutions and specialized builds tailored to demanding industrial applications. www.hyperfab.ca Join The Catalyst Club Community The Catalyst Club is so much more than a community. It is a growth platform for business development leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, and high-level professionals who want to sharpen their mindset, expand their leadership, and learn directly from people who have been there. Members get immediate access to over 40+ recorded Catalyst Sessions from incredible experts like Nausheen Chen, Carmen Leibel, Pia Silva, Joel Zeff, Wayne Lee, and many more, along with weekly live sessions, growth conversations, and practical business development support from Kelly Kennedy and other leaders. If you are serious about growth, leadership, business development, and surrounding yourself with people who are committed to becoming better, The Catalyst Club is where you need to be. Learn more here: www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub Need Business Development Advisory? www.kellykennedyofficial.com www.capitalbd.ca Mentioned in this episode: Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums

    The Clearest Voice in the Room Wins with Salvatore Manzi
  2. Jul 15

    Is Money Trauma Making Your Business Decisions with Brittney Ashley

    What if the biggest thing influencing your pricing, growth, and business decisions has nothing to do with strategy? In Episode 359 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with growth strategist, certified business coach, Trauma of Money Certified Practitioner, and Imposter Syndrome Coach Practitioner Brittney Ashley to explore the hidden ways money trauma, scarcity, self-worth, and imposter syndrome can quietly shape the way entrepreneurs lead and grow. From sitting on proposals out of fear of charging too much to the invisible financial beliefs we inherit from childhood, Brittney reveals why some of our most important business decisions may be driven by stories we do not even realize we are carrying. Brittney also shares her journey from toxic workplaces and personal loss to building Creative Dynamics Virtual Services, a business designed around the belief that work should support your life, not consume it. Together, Kelly and Brittney explore the psychology behind undercharging, the anxiety entrepreneurs can feel around money, the shift from selling hours to delivering outcomes, and why understanding your own money story may be one of the most important steps you can take as a business owner. This is an honest and deeply relatable conversation about the emotional side of entrepreneurship and the question every business owner should be asking: Is money trauma making your business decisions? Key Takeaways: Money trauma can quietly influence pricing, spending, saving, and major business decisions without you realizing it.The money stories you inherit from childhood and family can continue shaping your behaviour as an entrepreneur.Imposter syndrome often shows up as hesitation, undercharging, overthinking, and questioning whether you are truly worth your price.Sometimes the best thing you can do for your business is create enough space to reflect instead of constantly reacting.Undercharging is not always a pricing problem; it can be connected to people pleasing, self-worth, and fear of rejection.You do not have to make massive changes overnight; small, consistent increases in confidence and pricing can compound over time.Entrepreneurs need to shift their mindset from selling hours to delivering valuable outcomes and transformations.Building a successful business requires working on yourself as much as working on your strategy, systems, and operations.A business should be designed to support your life, not consume it or require you to be involved in every decision.Growth begins when you become curious about your own patterns and ask what is really driving the decisions behind your business. Get in Touch with Brittney AshleyConnect with Brittney on LinkedInListen to Breaking Norms, Building Dreams on SoundCloudVisit Creative Dynamics Virtual Services 🎸 Sponsor Shoutouts: Thank You Colin Harms for your steadfast support of The Business Development Podcast! 🫶 The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies & Hyperfab, 🎸⭐ 🔹 Hypervac Technologies: North America’s leader in vacuum truck manufacturing, building high performance hydrovac and industrial vacuum trucks designed for the toughest field conditions. www.hypervac.com 🔹 Hyperfab: The custom fabrication division of Hypervac, delivering engineered solutions and specialized builds tailored to demanding industrial applications. www.hyperfab.ca Join The Catalyst Club Community The Catalyst Club is so much more than a community. It is a growth platform for business development leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, and high-level professionals who want to sharpen their mindset, expand their leadership, and learn directly from people who have been there. Members get immediate access to over 40+ recorded Catalyst Sessions from incredible experts like Nausheen Chen, Carmen Leibel, Pia Silva, Joel Zeff, Wayne Lee, and many more, along with weekly live sessions, growth conversations, and practical business development support from Kelly Kennedy and other leaders. If you are serious about growth, leadership, business development, and surrounding yourself with people who are committed to becoming better, The Catalyst Club is where you need to be. Learn more here: www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub Need Business Development Coaching or Support? www.kellykennedyofficial.com www.capitalbd.ca

    Is Money Trauma Making Your Business Decisions with Brittney Ashley
  3. Jul 12

    Faith Starts the Journey and Resilience Finishes It with Mitch Jacobsen

    In Episode 358 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy welcomes Mitch Jacobsen, Founder and CEO of Rviita Inc., back to the show for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, faith, and the resilience required to build something from nothing. Mitch shares his journey from petroleum engineer to beverage entrepreneur, risking his student line of credit, spending two years developing a product that initially finished dead last in a blind taste test, and ultimately growing Rviita Energy Tea into a nationally recognized Canadian brand. Kelly and Mitch explore the realities behind the entrepreneurial highlight reel, the rollercoaster of building a company, and why perseverance may be more important than intelligence. From burnout and failure to scaling with strong core values and refusing to quit when the path forward feels impossible, this episode is an honest conversation about the years of work behind meaningful success and the faith required to begin before you know exactly how the story will end. Key Takeaways: Perseverance may be the most important skill an entrepreneur can develop.You do not need to know every step before you start, you just need to take the first one.Small actions repeated consistently can compound into extraordinary progress.Failure only becomes final when you decide to quit.Entrepreneurship is a long game, not a shortcut to overnight success.The greatest reward of building a business is often the impact you have on others.Constant one, two, and three percent improvements can completely transform a product over time.Core values become increasingly important as a company grows and scales.You will likely overestimate what you can accomplish in a year and underestimate what you can accomplish in a decade.Faith may give you the courage to begin, but resilience is what keeps you moving when the journey gets hard. Get in Touch with Mitch JacobsenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-jacobsen-p-eng-89277649/ Rviita Contact: https://rviitalize.com/pages/contact-us 🎸 Sponsor Shoutouts: Thank You Colin Harms for your steadfast support of The Business Development Podcast! 🫶 The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies & Hyperfab, 🎸⭐ 🔹 Hypervac Technologies: North America’s leader in vacuum truck manufacturing, building high performance hydrovac and industrial vacuum trucks designed for the toughest field conditions. www.hypervac.com 🔹 Hyperfab: The custom fabrication division of Hypervac, delivering engineered solutions and specialized builds tailored to demanding industrial applications. www.hyperfab.ca Join The Catalyst Club Community The Catalyst Club is so much more than a community. It is a growth platform for business development leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, and high-level professionals who want to sharpen their mindset, expand their leadership, and learn directly from people who have been there. Members get immediate access to over 40+ recorded Catalyst Sessions from incredible experts like Nausheen Chen, Carmen Leibel, Pia Silva, Joel Zeff, Wayne Lee, and many more, along with weekly live sessions, growth conversations, and practical business development support from Kelly Kennedy and other leaders. If you are serious about growth, leadership, business development, and surrounding yourself with people who are committed to becoming better, The Catalyst Club is where you need to be. Learn more here: www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub Need Business Development Coaching or Support? www.kellykennedyofficial.com www.capitalbd.ca Mentioned in this episode: Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums

    Faith Starts the Journey and Resilience Finishes It with Mitch Jacobsen
  4. Jul 8

    The Biggest Bottleneck in Your Business Is Probably You with Michèle Hecken

    Episode 357 of The Business Development Podcast features entrepreneur, executive advisor, international keynote speaker, and bestselling author Michèle Hecken. After building and successfully exiting a global company that eventually ran with only a handful of hours of her time each week, Michèle shares the mindset shifts that allowed her to stop being the center of her business. Together, Kelly and Michèle explore why so many founders unintentionally become the biggest bottleneck in their own organizations, how to redefine your role as your company grows, and why true leadership begins when you empower others to succeed without you. The conversation also dives into entrepreneurship, work-life integration, AI, business development, marketing, and the growing importance of authentic human connection in an increasingly automated world. From the emotional story that changed the course of her life to practical strategies for solopreneurs and growing businesses, Michèle delivers actionable insights on creating systems, focusing on your highest-value work, and building a business that creates freedom instead of dependence. If you're an entrepreneur, executive, or business leader looking to scale your company without sacrificing your life, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Key Takeaways: Your business should serve your life, not the other way around.As your company grows, your role as a founder must evolve with it.The biggest bottleneck in your business is often the founder.Every new service offering should strengthen your business, not dilute it.Delegate the work others can do so you can focus on the work only you can do.Great leaders intentionally make themselves less essential over time.Don't chase every trend; adopt new tools only when they create real value.Strong businesses are built on trust, relationships, and authentic human connection.Clarity around your highest-value work is the foundation of sustainable growth.Freedom isn't the reward for building a business; it should be part of the design from the beginning. Connect with Michèle Hecken 🌐 Website: https://michelehecken.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelehecken/ 📘 Latest Book: The Art of Offboarding: How to Transform Your Business to Run Without You 🎁 Exclusive Offer for Business Development Podcast Listeners: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/exclusive/podcast/special/offer 🎸 Sponsor Shoutouts: Thank You Colin Harms for your steadfast support of The Business Development Podcast! 🫶 The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies & Hyperfab, 🎸⭐ 🔹 Hypervac Technologies: North America’s leader in vacuum truck manufacturing, building high performance hydrovac and industrial vacuum trucks designed for the toughest field conditions. www.hypervac.com 🔹 Hyperfab: The custom fabrication division of Hypervac, delivering engineered solutions and specialized builds tailored to demanding industrial applications. www.hyperfab.ca Join The Catalyst Club Community The Catalyst Club is so much more than a community. It is a growth platform for business development leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, and high-level professionals who want to sharpen their mindset, expand their leadership, and learn directly from people who have been there. Members get immediate access to over 40+ recorded Catalyst Sessions from incredible experts like Nausheen Chen, Carmen Leibel, Pia Silva, Joel Zeff, Wayne Lee, and many more, along with weekly live sessions, growth conversations, and practical business development support from Kelly Kennedy and other leaders. If you are serious about growth, leadership, business development, and surrounding yourself with people who are committed to becoming better, The Catalyst Club is where you need to be. Learn more here: www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub Need Business Development Support? Book a Business Development Breakthrough Audit Here: www.kellykennedyofficial.com Mentioned in this episode: Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums

    The Biggest Bottleneck in Your Business Is Probably You with Michèle Hecken
  5. Jul 5

    Your Success Strategy Could Be Killing You with Steven Langer

    In episode 356 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with international keynote speaker, leadership expert, and Well by Design founder Steven Langer for a powerful conversation about the hidden cost of success. After years of leading schools, developing provincial wellness curriculum, and building high-performing teams, Steven found himself facing burnout, anxiety, panic attacks, and a life-changing warning from a doctor who told him he was on the path to a heart attack, stroke, or diabetes if nothing changed. Together, Kelly and Steven explore why so many ambitious leaders ignore the warning signs, why the mindset of "I've got this" can become dangerous, and how the very habits that drive success can quietly begin working against us. Steven also introduces his refreshing alternative to the outdated pursuit of work-life balance: work-life coherence. Rather than chasing an impossible 50/50 split, he explains how leaders can build sustainable success by living and leading with greater intention, protecting time for deep work, recognizing the hidden cost of constant pressure, and creating space for genuine restoration. From transforming a struggling school by reducing suspensions from more than 300 days to just 10, to launching a business dedicated to healthier leadership, Steven shares practical strategies that will help entrepreneurs, leaders, and high performers build lasting success without sacrificing the very things that matter most. Key Takeaways: The mindset of “I’ve got this” can become dangerous when it causes you to ignore warning signs.Burnout is not always caused by workload. It can also come from misalignment, lack of autonomy, cognitive overload, and poor support.The habits that help you succeed can eventually become the same habits that hurt you.Work-life balance is not always realistic. Steven’s better model is work-life coherence.Rest is not laziness. It is a requirement for performance, decision-making, and long-term sustainability.Leaders cannot take care of their teams if they are running themselves into the ground.If your work and personal life keep creating tension, that is a warning sign, not something to ignore.Deep work requires protected time. An “always open door” can destroy focus and make important work harder.Healthy leadership requires intention. Without it, your day happens to you by default.Sustainable success means building room for real life before the unexpected happens. Get in touch with Steven Langer: www.wellbydesign.ca Buy The Coherence Compass: https://wellbydesign.ca/coherence-compass-book/ Connect with Steven on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-langer-b9b64945/ 🎸 Sponsor Shoutouts: Thank You Colin Harms for your steadfast support of The Business Development Podcast! 🫶 The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies & Hyperfab, 🎸⭐ 🔹 Hypervac Technologies: North America’s leader in vacuum truck manufacturing, building high performance hydrovac and industrial vacuum trucks designed for the toughest field conditions. www.hypervac.com 🔹 Hyperfab: The custom fabrication division of Hypervac, delivering engineered solutions and specialized builds tailored to demanding industrial applications. www.hyperfab.ca Join The Catalyst Club Community The Catalyst Club is so much more than a community. It is a growth platform for business development leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, and high-level professionals who want to sharpen their mindset, expand their leadership, and learn directly from people who have been there. Members get immediate access to over 40+ recorded Catalyst Sessions from incredible experts like Nausheen Chen, Carmen Leibel, Pia Silva, Joel Zeff, Wayne Lee, and many more, along with weekly live sessions, growth conversations, and practical business development support from Kelly Kennedy and other leaders. If you are serious about growth, leadership, business development, and surrounding yourself with people who are committed to becoming better, The Catalyst Club is where you need to be. Learn more here: www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub Need Business Development Support? Book a Business Development Breakthrough Audit Here: www.kellykennedyofficial.com Mentioned in this episode: Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums

    Your Success Strategy Could Be Killing You with Steven Langer
  6. Jul 1

    The Power of Emotional Neutrality with Alyssa McMasters

    What does real confidence look like when life refuses to slow down? In Episode 355 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy welcomes back Founder of Let Me Introduce Yourself and Confidence Coach Alyssa McMasters for a powerful conversation about confidence, emotional neutrality, resilience, entrepreneurship, sales, leadership, and the realities of balancing a high-performing career with parenthood. Alyssa shares her own journey through burnout, imposter syndrome, motherhood, and rebuilding her career, revealing how learning to embrace emotional neutrality transformed not only the way she leads, but the way she makes decisions, sets boundaries, and shows up in every aspect of her life. Together, Kelly and Alyssa explore why so many high performers tie their self-worth to outcomes, how to navigate guilt, embarrassment, rejection, and uncertainty without allowing them to dictate your decisions, and practical strategies for regulating your nervous system, building resilience, and creating confidence that isn't dependent on the next win. Whether you're an entrepreneur, sales professional, leader, parent, or simply someone striving to become more grounded in an increasingly demanding world, this episode offers an honest and actionable roadmap for leading yourself with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose. Key Takeaways: Confidence is built by learning to keep moving when life feels uncertain.Emotional neutrality allows you to feel guilt, fear, or embarrassment without letting those emotions control your decisions.High performers often struggle because they tie their self-worth to wins, losses, clients, and outcomes.Boundaries are not selfish, they are how you protect your capacity and show up honestly.Saying no still might feel uncomfortable, but discomfort does not mean the decision is wrong.You cannot do everything well at once, so honesty about capacity is essential.Detaching from the outcome is critical in sales, entrepreneurship, parenting, and leadership.Real resilience is the ability to return to neutral faster after setbacks.Nervous system regulation helps you make better decisions instead of reacting from emotional highs or lows.Confidence is not about pretending everything is fine, it is about building the skills to keep showing up. Connect with Alyssa McMasters To learn more about Alyssa McMasters, Founder of Let Me Introduce Yourself, or to connect with her for confidence coaching, speaking, workshops, and leadership development, visit the links below. 🌐 Website: https://www.letmeintroduceyourself.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssamcmasters/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssasmcmasters/ 🎸 Sponsor Shoutouts: Thank You Colin Harms for your steadfast support of The Business Development Podcast! 🫶 The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies & Hyperfab, 🎸⭐ 🔹 Hypervac Technologies: North America’s leader in vacuum truck manufacturing, building high performance hydrovac and industrial vacuum trucks designed for the toughest field conditions. www.hypervac.com 🔹 Hyperfab: The custom fabrication division of Hypervac, delivering engineered solutions and specialized builds tailored to demanding industrial applications. www.hyperfab.ca Join The Catalyst Club Community The Catalyst Club is so much more than a community. It is a growth platform for business development leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, and high-level professionals who want to sharpen their mindset, expand their leadership, and learn directly from people who have been there. Members get immediate access to over 40+ recorded Catalyst Sessions from incredible experts like Nausheen Chen, Carmen Leibel, Pia Silva, Joel Zeff, Wayne Lee, and many more, along with weekly live sessions, growth conversations, and practical business development support from Kelly Kennedy and other leaders. If you are serious about growth, leadership, business development, and surrounding yourself with people who are committed to becoming better, The Catalyst Club is where you need to be. Learn more here: www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub Need Business Development Support? Book a Business Development Breakthrough Audit Here: www.kellykennedyofficial.com Mentioned in this episode: Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums

    The Power of Emotional Neutrality with Alyssa McMasters
  7. Jun 28

    The Future of Business is More Human Than You Think with Kari Enns

    Episode 354 of The Business Development Podcast features serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and ScaleIQ founder Kari Enns for a thought-provoking conversation about the future of business in an AI-driven world. Drawing from her own journey of rebuilding her life and business from scratch twice, Kari shares why resilience, community, and authentic human connection will become the greatest competitive advantages as technology continues to evolve. Together, Kelly and Kari explore why so many entrepreneurs struggle in isolation, how to embrace AI without losing your humanity, and why the businesses that thrive over the next decade will be those that blend innovation with timeless business fundamentals. Throughout the episode, Kari introduces her framework for building a future-proof business, breaking down the seven essential pillars every entrepreneur should understand while offering practical advice on implementing AI with purpose rather than fear. From branding, marketing, and systems to leadership, automation, and the irreplaceable value of human relationships, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for entrepreneurs looking to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world. If you've ever wondered how to prepare your business for what's next without sacrificing what makes it uniquely human, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Key Takeaways: Here are 10 one-line key lessons in your standard BDP format: The businesses that thrive in the AI era will be the ones that stay the most human.AI should solve intentional business problems, not be adopted simply to keep up.Community and collective intelligence will always outperform trying to build a business alone.Your ability to build authentic relationships will remain your greatest competitive advantage.Strong branding is about making the value of your business obvious within seconds.Future-proof businesses are built on strong systems, adaptable teams, and purposeful technology.Entrepreneurs who embrace change early will create opportunities while others resist them.Technology can enhance your business, but it can never replace your lived experience or intuition.Growth begins when you identify your biggest bottlenecks before searching for new tools.Courage to take action will always create more opportunities than waiting until you feel ready. Connect with Kari Enns: LinkedIn Learn more about ScaleIQ: ScaleIQ Entrepreneurs Growth Network 🎸 Sponsor Shoutouts: Thank You Colin Harms for your steadfast support of The Business Development Podcast! 🫶 The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies & Hyperfab, 🎸⭐ 🔹 Hypervac Technologies: North America’s leader in vacuum truck manufacturing, building high performance hydrovac and industrial vacuum trucks designed for the toughest field conditions. www.hypervac.com 🔹 Hyperfab: The custom fabrication division of Hypervac, delivering engineered solutions and specialized builds tailored to demanding industrial applications. www.hyperfab.ca Join The Catalyst Club Community If you are serious about growth, community, leadership, and surrounding yourself with high-level, human-centric thinkers, The Catalyst Club is where you need to be. Learn more here: www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub Need Business Development Support? Book a Business Development Breakthrough Audit Here: www.kellykennedyofficial.com

    The Future of Business is More Human Than You Think with Kari Enns
4.7
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

The Business Development Podcast is the global show for founders, entrepreneurs, and sales leaders who want real growth without the hype. Hosted by Kelly Kennedy, the show delivers honest conversations, real world lessons, and proven strategies on business development, sales, leadership, and mindset. Each episode breaks down what actually drives momentum, trust, and bigger deals over the long term.

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